Turning Feedback into Actionable Growth

More than twenty years ago, I learned what’s proven to be one of the most impactful lessons I’ve ever heard around communication from a friend who was a practicing veterinarian. He explained that he could kill my dog and as long as he told me the right way, I’d bring every other dog I ever owned bac...

Continue Reading...
Building an Alliance for Honest Dialogue

As we looked at why many folks in leadership roles avoid feedback, I shared examples of how some leaders aren’t necessarily avoiding feedback; they just aren’t getting honest input from the folks closest to them on where they have opportunities for growth. In most cases, these leaders are in little ...

Continue Reading...
The Confidence to Connect

The role Terry played as a mentor wasn’t limited to answering an occasional question or serving as an example for how to speak in front of others, I also watched how he worked to connect with others. While he could have relied on the authority of his position, he was very intentional in how he dedic...

Continue Reading...
Strategic Growth Eliminates Overconfidence

A lack of strategic growth and self-awareness can manifest as overconfidence in one's abilities and decision-making. A leader who is overly confident may underestimate risks, ignore warning signs, and fail to seek input from others, potentially leading to poor decision-making.

How does strategicall...

Continue Reading...
Strategic Growth Increases Ability to Accept Feedback

Leaders who are strategically growing are open to receiving feedback from others, recognizing it as a valuable source of insight. In contrast, a leader lacking growth may resist or dismiss feedback, perceiving it as criticism rather than an opportunity for improvement. As a young leader, this was me...

Continue Reading...
Strategic Growth Increases Emotional Intelligence

Self awareness is woven throughout many of our lessons because the better our self-awareness the more strategically we can grow. Self-awareness is a crucial component of emotional intelligence.

According to Positive Psychology.com, a leader lacking self-awareness may struggle to understand and man...

Continue Reading...
Strategic Growth Increases Your Self Awareness

One area where most leaders need to increase their self-awareness is in their own development, which is just as important as their team's! If we are truly growing, we will identify areas where we can improve. When we create change within ourselves (growth) and become better in these areas, and conti...

Continue Reading...
Grow Yourself First

Growing yourself is the best investment you can make in yourself as a leader. Whether you are leading a group, a team, your family, or an organization, John Maxwell reminds us that your capacity to grow will determine your capacity to lead.  Growth matters!

If we are trying to lead based on what w...

Continue Reading...